Method of forming gaskets and applying the same to can necks, etc.



Feb. zo, 1923.

METHOD -oF FORMING GAsKETs Filed. Apr. 17,y 1922 AND APPLYING THE SAME TO CAN NECKS, ETC

TQTORNEYJ Patented Feb. Z, 1923.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM J. Tow-Ln, or sfr. PAUL, MINNESOTA;

METHOD or romains snsnn'rs Ann ArrLYIne'rI-In snivrn 'ro can nnons,nro.-` f

Application filed April 17, 1922. Serial No. 553,609.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, i/VILL-niu J. Towne, citizen of the United Cdtates, resident of St. Paul, in the county of'flamseyy and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful improvements in inethod'of forming gaskets and applying the same to can necks or o-ther nozzles and mechanism therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toa. new methodof i cutting out gaskets, preferably of paper, and applying them to nozzles, such as sheet metal v tral portion of the gasket;

can necks, so that when said nozzles arey united to the can bodies the joints between the nozzles and can bodies: will be tight and non-leakab-le.

One object of the invention is to employ the wall of the nozzle as a. cutter' o-r die, for cutting out the center of the gasket, the gasket, b-y the same operation, being seated on the can nozzle, and preferably remaining thereon until the nozzle is applied to a can. body, when the gasket will be seated between t-he outer wall of the can body and a flange on the nozzle to form a tight joint between said body and said can nozzle.

Another object of the invention is to p-rovide meansfor quickly and accurately cutting out said gaskets, using the nozzle as a cutter, and applying them to said can nozzles.

The invention consists generally in the method or process, and in the constructions and combinations hereinafter `described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, y Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of a machine that may be employed for carrying out my invention, showing a nozzle and a strip of gasket material in position on the lower die;

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail view, showing the means for centering Athe nozzleon the lower die; i

Figure 3 is a detail view, showing the means for burring or folding the upper. flange of the nozzle; f

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure' 3,

showing the means for cutting out the cen-A Figure 5 is a view similar to Figures 3 and 4, showing the gasket-completely formed and severed from the gasket strip and also the means for upsetting or folding the bead on the can neck;

Figure 6 is a detail view, showing thev comple-ted can neck, with the gasket applied thereto. l n

In the drawings, referring to Figure l, 2 represents the bed plate ofv a suitable ma-` chine, and` 3 the usual ram or plunger to which theupperdie, hereinafter described, is secured. A die block 4 is secured to the bed plate 2 by bolt-s 5 and is provided with a recess 6- in its upper face. A lower die 7 (Figure 1) having an annular flange 8 is provided within the recess 6, andseicur'ed to the die block 4: by screws 9, preferably 'four in number. The dief? is preferably arranged with its upper or cutting edge on la line with the face of the die block 1. Within the said 4,

recess I also provide a stripper'plate 10, yieldinglyandloosely located around the 4die 7 supported by pins 11, preferably fourfin number, and compression springs f 12, in

sockets 18, provided inthe die block s., A .y center block 15 having'a reduced yportion 14 and a shoulder r16, is lpreferably pro-vided within and below the die '7, and is yieldingly held in its upper,or normal, position by pins 17 and 18, plates 19, ay rubber cushion 20v, and stud bolts 21, secured `to the bed plate2 the shoulder l'limitin` the upward movement l. y l

of said block l5.4 hen the center blockll, and the stripper plate 10, are in their upper' positions, as shown in Figure 1, a smooth surface is pro-vided over the face of the die block 1, to permit the strip 22of papergor other gasket materialto be fed into the machine without interference. `In this figure I have shown a gasket strip 22, and a. can neck 23, positioned for the cutting and forming operation. I have .not shown any means for feeding the gasket strip- 22, and the can neck 23, into the machine, as the means used for this purpose may lbe of any lsuitable type y 1 and construction. n l, i

Referring to the upper part .of the machine (Figure 1) a die block 24 havinga stem 25, is secured to al suitable 4plunger 3, in any suitable way. I have indicated the` plunger in. Figure l, but'have shown no operating means.l {Such-means will be employed and lmay be of any well-known type and construction, not necessary 4herey to be illus-y trated.v

An 4upper cutting die 26 preferably pro! vided with a cutting edge 2,6a and is secured to the block 24 by suitable means, ysuch as bolts 27.v A flange forming member 28` is also secured to said die block by suitable bolts 29, preferably tour in number. A rod 30, carrying a burring or upsetting tool 3l, is slidably mounted in the stemk 25 of the die block 24:, and is held in its normal position, as shown in Figure- 1, by a pin 32 bearing against a collar 33 resting on the stein 25. rlhe collar 33 is provided with knockout pins 34:, preferably three in number, to actuate a. pressure or knock-out. sleevev35, slidably mounted in the Jforming member28, and on the burring tool 31, a shoulder 3l being provided on the burring tool to limit the downward movement of the knock-out sleeve 35.

lVhen the cutting and forming operation is started, the plunger 3 commences a downward rmovement. and when it gets to the position shown in Figure 2, the lower end portion 31h 'of the burring tool 3l, ci' slightly smaller' diameter than the opening provided b the linturned flange 23 on the can neck, enters said opening, thereby providing a positive 'centering means 'for the can neck on the lower die. In this figure the knockout sleeve 35' is also shown resting on the can neck. `In Figure 3 the flange 23 of the can neck is shown turned down, and the forming member 28, bearing on the bead 23b of the can neck securely holds said can neck in its centered position during the actual `gasket cutting operation. The can neck is here shown positioned on` the strip of gasket-material resting on the lower cutting die 7. v"It will also be seen that the outside diameter of the lower vert-ical lange 23c ofsaid can neck, is ot substantially they `same diameter as the inside diameter of the lower cutting die 7.

As the plunger 3 proceeds in its downward movement the can neck, acting as a shearing punch, is forced through the gasket strip, thereby shearing said strip between the lower edge of the flange 23c and the inner cutting edge ol the lower cutting die 7, thus cutting out the central portion 22a of the gasket material. During this part of the operation they can neck carries with it the center block l5, until it preferably contacts with the bottom of the socket in the die block l, pro` viding a positive stop and preventing further downward movement of the flange 23C of the can neck.

In Figure 3 the can neck is shown in position for the gasket cutting operation, and also in position for the bead upsetting operation. In .this figure it will be noted that the inside diameter of the cutting edge 26i1 of the upper cutting die 26, is of substantially the same form and diameter as the outside diameter of the lower cutting die 7, thus providing a shearing means for cutting the outer circumference of the gasket. p Y

As the plunger 3 continues in its movement from the position shown in Figure 3 to that shown in `Figure et, the centeror the gasket is cut as above described. A further movement of the. forming member 28, bearing on the bead 23b of the can neck,l

folds or upsets the bead as shown in Figures 5 and 6. rthe knock-out sleeve- 35 also acts as a pressure sleeve during the operation of upsetting the bead, bearing against the top of the can neck with its lower edge (Figures and 5) and against the die block 24 at its upper end.

As the plunger passes from the position shown in Figure 4l to that shown in Figure 5 the cutting edge 261 of the die 26 eooperates with the outer edge oli' the lower die 7, shears off the outer edge of the gasket, the stripper plate l() moving down-v ward under pressure oit' said die.`

When the parts reach the positions shown in 'Figure 5 the operation of the machine is complete and the nozzle with the gasket applied will be in the form shown in Figure 6.

The lower vertical flange 23c of the can neck is preferably knurled, as shown in Figure 6, thereby providing a bettercutting orl shearing edge, and also providing a slightly irregular surface to prevent the gasket from separating from the can neck during the process of handling. y

When the plunger starts its upward or return stroke, the 'can neck, 4being held in the forming member 28 by friction, is carried with it until the knock-out pins 34 are. encountered, thereby ejectingthe complete can neck, kwith the gasket applied thereto, from the machine. A coiled'spring 36, secured tothe burring tool 3l is provided for ejecting from the can neck the central portion 22EL of the gasket. Also the stripper plate l0 assumes its normal position Ythereby positioning the 'paper strip tobe Ifed into the machine -for the next operation.

The mechanism for operating `the knockout pins 34 and the rod 30 may be of any well known type and construction, such as suitable operating arms 40 and 4-1 (Figure l) actuated by any suitable means, `which l have not thought necessary `to show herein. j f 4 By this improved method otfor'mingand applying gaskets to can necks-or othernozzles, the upper usualshearing punch is dispensed with, the can neck functioning as a punch, thereby simplifying the construction of the machine, and each ynozzle ris its own new cutting punch.

Also gaskets applied to can necks or other nozzles asabove described, aresnugly fitted to the 'can necks dueto theimproved method of forming and applying the gaskets in the one operation, thereby eliminatingth'e:usual objectionable feature of the gaskets becoming separated from the can necks and flost in handling before being positioned on the Vhile I have referred to the gaskets as being made of paper it will be understood that l do not limit myself to any particular material for 'said gaskets. lAny suitable material may be employed for this.

purpose and 'will be undeistoodasl coming within the scope of the specification and claims.

It will also be understood that I do not limit myself to the particular details of construction shown and described, but that various equivalent constructions and modifications of details may bemade without departing from the principle and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. The method 0f forming gaskets and applying the same to can nozzles or similar structures, consisting in supporting a strip of gasket material, bringing the edge-of a can nozzle against said strip, forcing the edge of the nozzle through said strip, and thereafter cutting the outer gasket edge to form a complete gasket and leave the same positioned on said nozzle.

2. The method of forming gaskets and applying the same to can nozzles or similar structures, consisting in supporting a strip of gasket material, bringing the edge of a can nozzle against said strip, forming a flange on the outer surface of said nozzle and forcing the edge of the nozzle through the gasket strip, and bringing the strip against said flange, and thereafter cutting the outer gasket edge to form a complete gasket and leave the same positioned on said nozzle in contact with said Piange.

3. The method of forming gaskets and applying the same to can nozzles or similar structures, consisting in supporting a strip of gasket material, bringing the edge of a can nozzle, having a peripheral bead on its outer surface, against said strip, forcingthe edge of the nozzle through the gasket strip and simultaneously7 pressing said bead into an outwardly projecting flange, bringing the strip against said flange, and thereafter cutting the outer gasket edge to4 form a complete gasket and leave the same positioned ofl a can nozzle, having an outwardly extendingiiange, against a suitably'supported strip "of gasket material, forcing the edge of the nozzle `through the gasket vstrip and bringingthe strip against said` liange, and cutting the outer gasket edge to form a complete ygasket and leave the saine positioned on said nozzle in contact with said flange. 1'

6. Themethod of forming gaskets f and applying the same tocan nozzles or vsimilar structures, consisting in bringing the vedge of a'can nozzle having a knurled edge, against a suitably supportedstrip of gasket material, forcing the edge of the nozzle through the gasket strip and bringing the strip against said flange, cutting the outer gasket edge to `form a complete gasket, and leave the same positioned on said nozzle in contact with said flange.

7. Mechanism for forming gaskets and applying the same kto can nozzles or similar structures, comprising, in combination, means for supporting a strip of gasket ma.- terial, means for positioning a vcan nozzle thereon, means for forcing the edgeof the nozzle through said gasket strip, and means for cutting the outer edge ofthe gasket, whereby a gasket isV formed and positioned on said nozzle.

8. Mechanism for forming gaskets and applyingrthe same to can nozzles or similar structures, comprising, in combination, means for supporting a strip of gasket inaterial, means for positioning a can nozzle thereon, means for forming an outwardly projecting flange on said nozzle, means for forcing the edge of the nozzle through said gasket strip, and bringing said strip against said flange, and means for cutting the outer edge of the gasket, whereby la gasket is formed and positioned on said nozzle against said flange.

9. Mechanism for forming gaskets and applying the same to cannozzles or similar structures, comprising, in combination, means for supporting a strip of gasket material, means for positioning a can nozzle thereon, means for centering the can nozzle and forming a burr at its upper end, and means for forcing the other end of the nozzle through the gasket strip, andgmeans for cutting the outer edge of the gasket.

10. Mechanism for forming gaskets and 12ov applying the same to can nozzles or similar structures, comprising, in combination,

means for supporting a strip of gasket material, means for positioning on said strip va can nozzle having a peripheral bead on its outer surface, means for pressing said bead into an outwardly extending flange and said flange, and means for cutting the outery edge of the gasket.

ll. 5in a machine oi the class described, the `combination, with means for supporting a strip of gasket' material, of means for-positioning on said strip a can nozzle having a flange at its uppervend, means for turning said Harige downward and thereby forming a burr at the upper end of the nozzle, and mea-ns for forcing the `edge of zthe nozzle through the gasket strip, all at a single operation. e v K 12. In a Ina-Chine of the Glass desoribed, the combination, With means Jfor supporting a Strip of gasket material, of means for porl sitioning on said strip a can nozzle having a flange at its upper end, and a peripheral bead, of means for turning said ange down Ward and thereby forming a burr at the upper end of the nozzle,1neans for pressing said bead into an loutwardly projecting flange, and means for vforcing the edge of the nozzle through the gasket strip, all at a single operation.

In Witness whereof, Ihave hereunto set my hand this 8th day of April 1922.

vVILLAM J. TO'VLE. 

